Party Drink Planner/Calculator
Plan the perfect amount of drinks for your party
Use this Party Drink Calculator to estimate the number of beers, wine bottles, liters of liquor, and soft drinks needed for your event. Input the number of guests, party duration, and drinking preferences to get accurate estimates.
Beers (12 oz)
Quantity: 160
Wine Bottles (750 ml)
Quantity: 29
Liquor (liters)
Quantity: 10
Soft Drinks (12 oz)
Quantity: 500
Want to Budget Drinks?
Check our Alcohol Cost Calculator to estimate the cost of your party drinks based on bottle prices and pour sizes.
About the Party Drink Calculator
This calculator helps you plan the right amount of beer, wine, liquor, and soft drinks for your party. By inputting guest count, party duration, and drinking preferences, you ensure everyone has enough to enjoy while minimizing waste.
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter the total number of guests.
- Input the party duration in hours.
- Specify the percentage of guests drinking beer, wine, liquor, and soft drinks.
- Click “Calculate Drinks” to see the estimated quantities.
Science Behind Drink Planning
Drink planning is based on average consumption rates:
- Beer: 1 beer (12 oz) per drinker per hour.
- Wine: 1 bottle (750 ml, ~5 glasses) per 2.15 drinkers, halved for overlap.
- Liquor: 0.5 liters per drinker for the party.
- Soft Drinks: 1 drink (12 oz) per guest per hour, plus 1 extra.
If drinker percentages are provided, specific formulas apply; otherwise, a general estimation allocates 40% beers, 60% of remaining for wine, and the rest for liquor shots. Results are rounded up for practicality. See The Kitchn’s party planning guide for more.
Common Party Scenarios
Estimated drinks for typical parties (4 hours):
Small Gathering (20 guests)
32 beers, 6 wine bottles, 2L liquor, 100 soft drinks
Medium Party (50 guests)
80 beers, 14 wine bottles, 5L liquor, 250 soft drinks
Large Event (100 guests)
160 beers, 29 wine bottles, 10L liquor, 500 soft drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a party drink calculator work?
Our calculator estimates drinks based on guest count, party duration, and drinker percentages. It uses formulas like 1 beer per hour per drinker, 1 wine bottle per 2.15 drinkers (halved), 0.5L liquor per drinker, and 1 soft drink per guest per hour plus 1 extra.
How many drinks should I plan per guest?
Plan for 1 drink per guest per hour (e.g., 4 drinks for a 4-hour party). This splits into 40% beers, 60% of remaining as wine glasses (5 per bottle), and the rest as liquor shots, with soft drinks at 1 per hour plus 1 extra.
Why use a party drink calculator?
A party drink calculator ensures you buy the right amount of drinks, reducing waste and ensuring guests are satisfied. It accounts for different drink preferences, making planning easier for any event size.
Can the calculator handle non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes, our calculator includes soft drinks, estimating 1 per guest per hour of the party, plus 1 extra per guest to cover additional needs, ensuring all guests are catered for.
How accurate is a party drink calculator?
The calculator is accurate for average consumption patterns with correct inputs. Guest preferences, drinking habits, or event type may vary results, so consider rounding up or adjusting based on your party’s vibe.